The live television performance was a highly anticipated revival.

John Legend starred in the revival of the 1970 musical rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar on Sunday. He was joined by Alice Cooper, Sara Bareilles and Brandon Dixon as Judas. The two hour long event was aired live on NBC. John Legend addressed the importance of the role in an instagram post before the show.

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"If we as a society are willing to stop punishing so much and instead invest in education," John Legend wrote about his role, "in treatment, in counseling, in fighting poverty, we can break the cycles of victimization that tear us apart. We can create the kinds of communities where ALL people can flourish."